OHIO COUNTY COMMISSIONER DON NICKERSON

Ohio County Commissioner Don Nickerson no longer lives in the magisterial district in which he was elected just a few months ago — and the West Virginia Secretary of State’s Office has determined he may continue to serve in the office.

Nickerson, a Republican, ran unopposed for a second six-year term as commissioner in the November 5, 2024, general election. At that time, he was a resident of District 2 in Wheeling.

Since the election, Nickerson relocated to a home in District 3.

“After the election I moved. Now I am living in a different district,” Nickerson said. “It has all been cleared through the (West Virginia) Secretary of State’s Office.

“They said as long as I resided in the same district — the 2nd District, where I ran from until the date of the election — I can carry the (prior) residency with me.”

The Secretary of State’s Office acknowledged that is what they informed Nickerson.

“Our legal counsel has confirmed that the commissioner is right,” said Landon Palmer, communications director for the Secretary of State’s Office. “So long as he was properly elected to the prior magisterial district — he carries that with him if he moves to another magisterial district in the county.”

While commissioners have to live in a certain district to file and run for office, they are elected countywide. State law requires commissioners to live — at least until after election day — in a specific district to ensure equal representation throughout the county.

The next commission seat up for election is the District 1 seat presently held by Commission President Zach Abraham. That seat will be up for election in 2026.

The District 3 seat held by Commissioner Randy Wharton is next, and that contest will happen in 2028. Nickerson cannot run for re-election in District 2 in 2030 unless he were to move back to that district.

He is not certain yet of his future plans.

“I would have to run in the district where I live now, which is the 3rd District,” he said. “That’s a long time from now.

“My commitment to county residents and my integrity doesn’t change regardless of where I live in Ohio County.”